I had the privilege of dining and reviewing this family-owned restaurant in its initial stage of…read moreoperation, just 3 days after opening its doors, and right after having moved to Roanoke and rented the space for their new restaurant business, when its menu was just a variety of empanadas and milanesa steaks. I invite you to go back and read that significant review accompanied by some of my photographs of the restaurant and its food. It is extremely rare for one to have had the opportunity to follow a restaurant from such an early stage. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that it would be appropriate this year to go back to this restaurant and write a follow-up review, since my initial review was one of my reviews that contributed to me obtaining this highly esteemed Award. Argentinian people are known for their love of eating. Social gatherings are commonly centred on sharing a meal. Invitations to have dinner at home are generally viewed as a symbol of friendship, warmth, and togetherness. This in particular reflects the significance of this family-owned restaurant's name: Familia Argentina. This Argentinian family is opening its doors not only to share its food with their customers, which is one of the things they are most proud of from their culture, but also to share their friendship with all of us, since homemade food is seen as a way to show affection to their guests. When you think of Argentinian cuisine, the first thing you think of is steak. That is why I was happy to see that they have expanded their menu with different kinds of steaks, such as skirt steak. NY Strip, Ribeye, and Ribs. They also now have in their menu, their famous "Parrillada Argentina," which is a combination of Skirt Steak, Ribbs, and Chorizo, totaling over than 1lb of meat. Some of their other very popular menu items include their Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches and their Choripan with Chimichurri sauce. Their new menu also include a page of Lunch Special and a few delicious desserts. As a matter of fact the cover photograph of their Yelp page is one of my photographs of their Creamy Strawberry dessert. Today I arrived for an early dinner and received a warm welcome by the wife and co-owner of the restaurant. We talked for a while about the restaurant's progress and I complimented them on their new expanded menu. I had already visited the restaurant right after the new menu was brought out and had tried out their delicious "Parrillada Argentina" main course and their Creamy Strawberry dessert of which I was surprised by its creamy richness. After we stopped talking and catching up with things, I ordered two Ground beef and one Knief-Cut Meat empanadas as appetizer, and a Beef Milanesa a Caballo. I love this dish, because it reminded me so much of the "Bistec Empanisado" (Cuban Breaded Steak, a type of Country Fried Steak) my grandmother used to make me when I was growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The "A Caballo" part meant it came with two fried eggs on top. It was served with fries, and was practically the size of the dish it was served in. To drink I ordered a Dr. Pepper. Good thing I had skipped lunch that day because I was able to eat the whole thing, and I enjoyed it all the way. With lemon juice on top, that steak tasted amazing. However, I was so full that I skipped dessert. While dining, I forgot to mention that the husband, chef, and co-owner of the restaurant also came out to say hello. I had also met him the first time I came by the restaurant and had given him some suggestions. Such as placing larger photographs of the main menu items on one of the front windows to familiarize the public with Argentinian cuisine. In conclusion, once again I had a wonderful dining experience at this relatively new restaurant. Loved those tasty Empanadas and the Breaded Steak with Fried Eggs on top. I highly encourage you all to go try this family-restaurant out and give them your full support. I can assure you that you'll be glad you did.

I'm new to Argentine food, but the smells drew me in. Service was friendly and everything we tried…read morewas great. Tomato empañada was tasty and my entree and the milanesa was both delicious and huge. (It's similar to a country fried steak.) I'd definitely go back.

Went to Six and Sky last night for 3rd time. Once again, the food was excellent. However, the staff…read morestill needs work. The greeters are not professional or friendly. For the 3rd time, we had to ask for a server to help us. We sat more than 5 minutes after being seated without water, drink order, anything. If you market yourself as fine dining and charge prices for fine dining, your service needs to be excellent.

Just had our first meal here. Everything was better than expected. Service was top notch and the…read morefood was perfection, starting with the amazing bread service, and then the filet mignon Oscar and the seared scallops, and the bananas foster beignets for dessert. Highly recommended!

After finding out that I was selected as number 4 of the Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a…read moreyear when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award, I decided to celebrate this special occasion by having dinner at Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse in the heart of Downtown Roanoke. This well-regarded, upscale steakhouse, received The Roanoker Magazine's 2025 Platinum Award for Best Steakhouse in Roanoke City, and is considered a premier dining destination in the area, offering a high-end experience with a focus on quality cuts of meat and a sophisticated atmosphere, though at a higher price point. I made a reservation through the Open Table app for this Wednesday at 5:00pm, dining opening time, for table 85, which was the table I sat at the last time I dined there. This is one of only two tables next to a window in the back of the restaurant. I invite you to view the photographs accompanying my last review, when it was still light out, to see the window view I had from there. When I arrived, a friendly young lady greeted me and looked up for my reservation at the Host's station computer. She then took my coat, hanged it up and gave me a ticket for it. There was a beautiful waiting area with hunter green leather furniture, in front of an elegant designed bar. When my table was ready, she led me to my table. Soon after, my server Logan, another friendly and hospitable young lady, introduced herself and explained the menu and special of the day. To drink, I ordered a Strawberry Mockito Mocktail. For appetizer, I ordered the Seared Sea Scallops with a Parmesan Cognac Sauce. And as my main entrée, I combined a Live Maine Baked Lobster with a Certified Angus 14oz Beef Filet, cooked medium-rare, with an Idaho Baked Potato and Sautéed Mushrooms as sides. The Strawberry Mockito Mocktail tasted just right. Every bite of the scallops in that sauce was an absolute delight. Expensive, but priceless at the same time! The succulent lobster meat, all out of the shell, came with a little bowl of warm butter for dipping. The Filet was cooked perfectly medium-rare, with a warm, red center, as requested. No wonder this place is famous for the quality of its meats and cooking method. For the Grand Finale of my meal, I had a Bread Pudding made with Krispy Kreme donuts, accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. All the servers worked as a team, and came by to fill my glass with iced water.as soon as it was half empty. My server also came by at the right times to see how I was doing and check to see if I needed anything. Even with the restaurant full with several large groups dining there, the Restaurant Manager, John Catron, came by my table to say hello and chat with me for a while. This restaurant has class, providing an exceptional dining experience, like no other.

After having a decent experience for dinner a few months back, we went here for Mother's Day brunch…read moreand were very disappointed. First off, I asked for no cheese on my eggs for the steak and eggs, a $52 dish. I was told "no "substitutions". It's not a substitution, I asked that they leave cheese off. Nope, not possible. Instead I opted for the "churro French toast", which was bland, soggy French toast without any churro flavor, accompanied by either pre-cooked or microwaved bacon. Hardly worth $34. The waitress clearly didn't want to be there - complete lack of personality, bordering on a poor attitude. What should have been a nice brunch for the two moms in attendance was done in 45 minutes. This place needs to stick to dinner because clearly brunch is not in their wheelhouse. The restaurant itself is nice and in a great area, and the bar looks like it would be a great spot for drinks and appetizers, but I'm not sure I would go back.

After being ranked 4th among Yelp's Top 50 Most Prolific Elites of 2025, a distinction recognizing…read moremy consistent community engagement and high-quality contributions, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to go back and write follow-up reviews on those restaurants that impressed me the most during 2025, and The River and Rail Restaurant located in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example of one of them. Going back to this restaurant after the great honor that I had received from Yelp, made me recall the first time that I dined here. I invite you that after reading this review, you go back and read that one, and view my photographs accompanying it, because it's one of which I am most proud of, and an experience that I will never forget and forever cherish. I arrived at the restaurant on time at five o'clock sharp and as I waited for them to open I had an opportunity to meet and chat with a couple who had been loyal customers of this restaurant for years since it first opened. They, as well as I, were aware of the beautiful location of the restaurant on one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Roanoke. As soon as the doors opened, I allowed them to enter first and then when the host came back she gave me a warm and friendly greeting, welcoming me back, and took me to an ideal table, where I had a perfect view of the entire restaurant, from their open kitchen, to their bar, to the entire dining room and entrance, allowing me to capture in photographs the real feel of the ambiance of this cozy, yet elegant, upscale Southern, New-American restaurant known for its scratch-made dishes using locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, including house-cured meats and pickled vegetables, as well as very creative cocktails. Shortly after I was seated, my delightful server Caroline arrived, and after a warm greeting took my order. To drink I order their Strawberry Fields Forever Mocktail. As appetizer I ordered a half dozen Oysters together with their famous Oyster Wraps. And as my main entrée, the Painted Hills Filet, cooked medium-rare. All the staff seemed so happy to see me and the manager came by to say hello and congratulate me for my outstanding Yelp accomplishment of 2025. My excellent server made sure that my order was well-paced, came by at the appropriate times to fill my glass with water and see if all was to my liking. Everything tasted amazingly delicious. Starting from the unique taste of my creative mocktail, to my flavorful appetizer, to my exquisite Filet main entrée that was so tender and cooked just right. The chefs in this fine dining restaurant are amazing and the quality of their meats is top notch. For dessert I had one of my favorite desserts, since I first had it there, their Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta. This dessert is absolutely mouthwatering. What an extraordinary dining experience I once again had there. Fine dining at its best. For those very special occasions, I highly recommend this restaurant. Or you can always make any day special, by dining there.

What a great find. We stopped in Roanoke for the night along our travels. The menu is small,…read morewhich I love. For starters, we ordered the fried corn bread and an oyster dish which was a fried oyster wrapped in tender lettuce with kimchi, radish, and a special sauce. It was delicious!! My main dish was a blackened catfish with collard greens, turnips, etc., also delicious. The drink menu is extensive and very creative. We will definitely go back.

Stopped at this place on a road trip and it was amazing. The fried pickles were the best i've had,…read morethe shrimp and grits were the best I had, and the banana butterscotch pudding was the best banana pudding i've ever had. My boyfriend got the steak burger and said the A1 aioli was so flavorful and unique. The atmosphere is cozy and staff is very friendly. 10/10 experience.

I have eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world, but in none have I had such a wonderful…read moredining experience like I always do at Bernard's Gastropub & Eatery. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to return to those special ones, that have made a difference in my life and highlight them, for the benefit of the public, so they too can have an opportunity to appreciate the qualities of a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience. And Bernard's Gastropub & Eatery in Downtown Roanoke, is a perfect example. Bernard's was born out of the love of two culinary aficionados turned professionals that in someway have managed to create a restaurant with an environment that transmits this intimate love to the hearts of their customers through the attention to detail in its extraordinary customer service and amazing culinary masterpieces. Today, I felt like dining at this restaurant, which I admire for its consistency in always far exceeding my high expectations of what a fine-dining restaurant should be all about. Not knowing if they would have a table for me at this late time on a Saturday early evening, I drove in my pearl white Lexus to the nearest private parking lot and gave them a call to inquire as if they could give me a reservation for the next ten minutes. A gentleman, who later I found out was named Matthew, and would be my server, answered the phone with a very polite and welcoming voice; answering my question of what was the special dish of the day and to come on down, that my reservation was assured. As soon as I arrived to the small, very elegant foyer in front of the Host's station, he came out to greet me and instantly recognized who I was. My only request was that he give me a low table because at my age seating at a high table was a bit uncomfortable. He went back to see what he could find and ended setting me up with what I consider one of the best tables of the house, and I was so appreciative of his last minute accommodation. The menu was already setup on my table. He poured water from a special bottle into my water glass and asked if I wanted something else to drink. I asked for a Mocktail and since he also was a bartender, he prepared me one of the best mocktails I've ever had. To dine, I started out with their Mussels Carbonara appetizer, which came in a bacon parmesan cream sauce that was simply amazing, and served with toast points. As my main entrée I had the Dinner Special of the Night, the Seafood Trio. It had a delicious, giant size crab cake in the middle, scallops, and shrimps, with parmesan risotto sautéed heirloom tomato, spinach, and nice size asparagus, with a burre blanc sauce. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the high-quality of their food and magnificent ambiance of the place. Everything was so delicious that only one word could ever describe them: priceless! For dessert I had their very famous Butterscotch Banana Pudding, which the chef makes at the moment ordered. It looked spectacular and tasted amazingly delicious: a culinary work of art. What a great way for the Gran Finale of an extraordinary dining experience!

I came in with big hopes and feel torn about this review. I think the issue is there are so many…read moreunique and amazing restaurants within walking distance in downtown Roanoke that my expectations are HIGH. The dining area is an interesting mix out copper table tops, wood chairs, and exposed brick walls. Character. I had a pineapple upside down cake cocktail. It was yummy But it was filled with tiny ice slithers that made it difficult to drink without choking on ice until the slithers melted. I always appreciate a good Luxor . The food was fine... I was just hoping to be awed. I had the grilled salmon was looking, for medium but it was definitely well done. It was will seasoned and I was hungry, so none went to waste, lol. I was just hoping for something special. The veggie side was small and basic but well seasoned and the potatoes were also well seasoned but missing the Chicago butter sauce advertised. Instead it had a tiny smear of what I'm assuming was cocktail sauce. I tried the cheesecake bread pudding which was their bread pudding of the day. Overall it was good. I wouldn't have minded more cream cheese and was kind of disappointed the strawberries came out with the leaves still attached. At this price point, I don't want to have to remove things on my own. My server was great, she was training someone new but still managed to be perfectly attentive without being over bearing. With Sidecar and Stock so close by, it takes a peak performance to get me to repeat a restaurant stop when I'm in town for work. This was a solid 4 today but there are 5 star worthy places that have my attention.

In Roanoke for a project my office is doing. Walked by this place several times and this time…read moredecided to stop in. Great place with a amazing wine selection. The service was spoI ordered shared scallops and sweet potato gnocchi. The gnocchi was fantastic, it should be an entree. The scallops were delicious but as an appetizer i thought it was small. Table 50 is located in an old building wood floors, brick wall, tin ceiling, exposed pipes and ductwork as an architect I love the interiors. On a Monday night, Table 50 is packed with patrons, it is quite loud in here is my only complaint. I will be back to try their southern fried buttermilk chicken breast.

First time trying Lucky and I'd give it a 4.5 rounded up to a 5. The menu is local farm based so it…read morechanges seasonally and is a bit limited. I was disappointed because I was hoping to try a soup or scallops I'd seen in Yelp pics but they weren't in the menu this time. Which is the roll of the dice you pay for fresh creative menus. Dining area and bar have a nice vibe with attractive art work. Dim lighting and smaller tables make it cute for a date or a solo business diner like myself. The lucky cube drink was creative and tasty. Brussel sprouts were also unique with a tahini sauce on top and perfectly crispy chickpeas. I'd seen "Smoke in Chimneys Trout" on a few menus in Roanoke this trip but never heard of that before. Looked it up and learned something new. They are trout that are local and prized for living in a lime stone aquifer rather than a river. Giving them a clean light slightly sweet taste, no essence of mud that can come with other river fish. I've never ordered trout in a restaurant, But when in Rome... Lol. The fish itself and the portion was really good. Wish I could remember my waitress' name. She was knowledgeable and just had a really warm, friendly energy.

I came in for the fried chicken because other reviews were very positive .. the coating was v…read morecrunchy , plus , however it was really burnt ! Ir was really over cooked ; plus had little flavor . Needs a little salt and pepper .... Better chicken at Popeyes or Bojangles .. Mashed potatoes were excellent . I wa not impressed with the Kale and still think there may be fatback in it ... even though the server swore there was no pork on the dish .. anyway you can try for yourself .. maybe I just came on an off night . My server was very nice ( Alyssa ) BTW.

Just the other day I attended a local party where they served Marco's Pizzas, and there I…read morerediscovered the amazing flavor of the pizzas from this contemporary pizza chain, which I had the privilege of reviewing when it first opened in Vinton, Virginia, more than a year ago. Marco's Pizza is a counter-serve chain with a menu of specialty or custom pizzas for takeout or delivery, located in the popular Lake Drive Plaza in Vinton. Then last Friday, I had the urge to eat their pizza once more, opened their app in my cellphone, and noticed all the exciting unique features that their app had, such as the "light bake," if you like the crust to come out lighter and softer than the usual. The first thing I did was select from one of their deal offers: "$3 Off Any Specialty Pizza." Then I picked their "The Works" Specialty Pizza, medium size, with regular crust and light bake. It contained Pepperoni, ham, green peppers, Italian sausage, mushrooms, bacon, and onions. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a sense of the high-quality of their pizzas and ingredients. It was so easy and convenient, ordering it on their app for delivery. And not only did I get Marco's Rewards points for the order, but I also automatically got 30 points for $1 spent at the Fetch app. The pizza was delivered at the time promised by a very friendly and efficient driver by the name of Roxy. It was handled very well and was delivered out of a keep-warm special container in a quality box with Marco's Pizza logo and a professional photo of a pizza printed on the box. There are times like this one when you enjoy ordering out and eating in the comfort of your home. And that is precisely what I did. I opened the box saw those amazing hot slices filled with a generous portionof high-quality toppings. I placed a couple of slices on a plate, went and sat down in my comfortable recliner, and enjoyed eating the slices while watching my large screen Sony BRAVIA TV which stands for "Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture." I loved the taste and texture of their crust, and all of the ingredients on the pizza were so fresh and tasty. I highly recommend this pizza shop for there delicious pizzas and other high-quality items in their menu, easy ordering system from their app, and friendly and efficient customer service and delivery.

I looked at reviews and they made me skeptical about eating at Marco's. Glad I decided to try it,…read moreto make up my mind for myself. Best local pizza in the area. My husband and I have found our new favorite pizza restaurant. Great sauce, good cheese and a real pizza crust. The service was great, the folks that work there are very nice and friendly. I don't mind take-out or carryout, it's convenient for us. Oh and the prices are good, better than their competitors in the area, I truly recommend this pizza and calozones. Fabulous

Amazing service at the bar beforehand where our group of 6 took a lot of our bartenders time with…read moresome questions, luckily it was pre dinner rush so we didn't halt service for others. We then proceeded to supper on the other side to enjoy the following: lobster thurmidor, oyster sampler, crab louie, canard frites, and affogato. This was a wonderful experience with courteous staff...our only hiccup came at the end of the meal. We were ready to leave and had to wait 15 minutes to be able to get our servers attention to get our check.

Sidecar in Roanoke is a great spot with a unique, creative menu and tons of tasty options. Sitting…read moreat the bar was the highlight for me though. Service was excellent and the staff were fun and knowledgeable to talk with. The bourbon selection is fantastic, with a wide range for any level of interest. I travel to this area for work frequently and have a hard time wanting to go anywhere else for dinner.

People ask me all the time: "What is your favorite restaurant in Roanoke, Virginia?" And my reply,…read moreafter considering all of the wonderful restaurants in this Star City is ... "Billy's", in the heart of Downtown Roanoke. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Billy's in Downtown Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. From the very first time I visited and dined at Billy's, I fell in love with it. I don't know if it was its history. Its historic building was constructed in 1912 and originally housed the Ritz Hotel. Then in 1979 John and Betsy Williams opened "Billy Ritz," named in homage to the building's history and a former local saloon. For 29 years (1979 - 2007) the Williamses operated the restaurant, making it a popular downtown fixture. In 2007 the restaurant closed and in 2008 the building was purchased by new owners: Neel and Neal Keesee. Following extensive renovations that preserved its historic character, the restaurant reopened in May 2012 as "Billy's". And since then Billy's operates as a popular downtown dining spot with a focus on fine dining, and is celebrated for maintaining a piece of old downtown Roanoke history while providing modern, upscale dining. Or maybe it is, its refined American cuisine with a focus on steaks and fresh seafood, such as scallops, shrimps, lobsters, mahi-mahi, southern salmon, or catch of the day. Or its drinks, a well-curated bourbon bar with an extensive wine list and signature cocktails. It might also be its elegant and historic atmosphere, with a clasic dining room, a trendy outdoor patio, and private dining rooms to host private events and celebrations. Or even its corner location in one of the most valuable and desired areas in the heart of Downtown Roanoke. But even if all of the above are an important factor in my selection, I would say that last but most important of all is its staff; from its managers, its cooks, its bartenders, and its servers. They are not only knowledgeable, professional, and hospitable, but together form a team with the goal of making you feel at home there and having an extraordinary dining experience. That's why I say: "Any day can be made special by dining at Billy's." This Saturday, I went to dine there after making my reservation in the Open Table app. Even though they could not honor my initial table request for a window view table in the main dining room, the manager was kind enough to accommodate me at a window view table of another very quaint dining room facing the outdoor patio. I believe it was table 54, served by the very friendly, kind, and efficient server, Savannah. She first brought me an amazing drink prepared by my favorite bartender. Then she gracefully took my order. I had Four Bacon Wrapped Scallops as appetizer. An 8oz Filet cooked medium-rare with a Lobster Tail enhancement, Cheddar Smashed Potatoes, and Grilled Asparagus, as my main entrée. And for dessert, my favorite, their famous Crème Brûlée. She did an excellent job in making sure I was well taken care of by coming by at the appropriate times and even when she was serving a large table in the main dining room, she made sure to send the principal host to see if I needed anything. As I was dining, the restaurant's manager came by my table to say hello, and that is something I truly appreciate from any quality restaurant I dine at. What an outstanding dining experience. And even if I was only one customer dining there that busy evening, the following day I received a text message from one of my fellow Yelpers who was in town for a week of conferences and was looking for a place for a "friends' get-together. And without any hesitation I recommended Billy's. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a good word is worth many customers. And thus, I give this restaurant a 5 Star and now you know why.

Always heard about Billy's, so decided to give it a try. As…read morewe walked in, we were greeted by Melia, the hostess. She was very cheerful and friendly.I liked how there is actually space between the tables . The restaurant is spacious and nicely decorated. Our waitress Melissa was excellent. She had some great suggestions on what to try as we were first time guests. The calamari was fresh and crunchy. The glazed bacon was delicious. The lamb chop lollipops were ok, too raw. Caesar salad was tasty and one order is enough for 4 people. My NY strip steak was tender and cooked to perfection. I tried a side of risotto and was definitely not disappointed. I find they have a good selection of wines as well. Billy's is definitely a great choice for a nice dinner!